Page 85 of Billionaire Unexplained: Kaleb

“Is that what you meant earlier when you said that you were used to being alone and not having anyone who watched out for you?” he questioned.

“Yes,” I told him wistfully. “I’ve lived in my home in Beverly Hills for eight years now, and I don’t even know my neighbors. People keep to themselves there. If I did go missing, nobody would really care or notice except for Kim. As long as I showed up for performances and met my obligations, nobody really cared what I did unless I was paying them to make my safety their business.”

“Except for Ray,” he reminded me in an irritated tone.

“I think Ray only cares because I’m a cash cow for him. He’s worried about his own financial security. Maybe that’s harsh, but I think it’s true. He’s not worried about my safety or my well-being.”

“I’m glad you finally noticed that,” Kaleb said in a gentler tone.

“Maybe I wanted to think that he cared about me as a friend because he cared about my dad, but he’s changed a lot over the years.”

“I care, Anna,” he said gruffly. “I do give a shit about your happiness and your well-being.”

“I know that,” I said softly. “I shouldn’t have left without leaving a note or letting you know where I was, but I’ve been alone for a long time.”

“Fuck!” Kaleb rasped. “I don’t want to strangle you to death with my fears, but we don’t know who murdered your parents, and you are a high-profile pop star. You’ll always be vulnerable to some crazy ass and delusional people in the world.”

“I guess I feel safe here,” I told him honestly.

“Normally, you would be safe here,” Kaleb grumbled. “I just don’t like not knowing where you are in case you need help. Being famous puts you at risk, Anna.”

“I’d feel the same way if our positions were reversed,” I admitted.

In some ways, it wasn’t just Crystal Fork that made me feel safe here.

It was Kaleb.

It was strange knowing that somebody actually cared about me and my safety now, not because I was a famous pop star, but because he cared about me.

I loved this man so much that it was almost painful, but it was way too early to blurt that out to him.

This whole relationship was so new that I didn’t want to tell him that I loved him and have him look at me like I was crazy for feeling that way so soon.

He cared about me.

I cared about him.

That was enough…for now.

“I’ll text you and let you know where I am next time,” I promised.

“If you don’t, you’ll end up manhandled by a crazy man again,” he said drily.

“In that case, I might be tempted to sneak away every single day. I like being manhandled by you.”

I’d sensed exactly what Kaleb had needed earlier, and I loved every moment of it.

We’d always had hot, mind-blowing sex, but that particular encounter had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with the way we were connected.

Yeah, it had been carnal and rough, but I’d desperately needed that reassurance, too.

I had been feeling a little vulnerable because I’d just recognized that I was madly in love with Kaleb.

I’d wanted to feel every emotion he was feeling at that moment because I’d been feeling the same way.

Raw.

Defenseless.

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